GUNS Magazine June 2010 - Page 30

• JOHN TAFFIN • CONCEALED CARRY FIREPOwER Springfield Armory XD(M) 3.8 19+1 9mm. y first two Springfield Armory XDs are chambered in .45 ACP M and .45 GAP. Even though I now embrace the 9mm, all of my original polymer-framed pistols from all five companies were also chambered in .45 ACP and .45 GAP. It’s pretty obvious I was tainted by all those early .45 vs. 9mm articles. I had the requisite Browning and then the little Smith & Wesson 9mms, but only in the past few years have I taken up polymer 9mms. My third and latest choice is the Springfield Armory XD(M) 3.8. The “M” not only stands for a match-grade barrel but also what Springfield calls the “M Factor,” a long list of new features, which we will examine shortly. The “3.8” is the actual barrel length of just over 3-3/4". grip frame we find a dished out area for the thumb while the slide contains what Springfield calls Mega Grasp serrations. These are found both front and rear and provide a very positive gripping surface for working the slide. The frontstrap also has positive serrations which wrap around both sides and the backstrap also has these same serrations. They are large and provide a positive gripping surface without being painful. Three different sized backstraps are provided for individual fitting. The magazine release is ambidextrous, easy to reach, and magazines release easily. For those who prefer to place a finger of the offhand in front of the triggerguard All of us, at least those of us who have tried a large assortment of sixguns and semi-autos, have experienced those simply not feeling right in the hand while others just seem to nestle in as if they were custom-made for our particular hand. Feeling is highly subjective, but this XD(M) feels like my hand was measured and then the grip made accordingly. The trigger is easy to reach and all three fingers wrap comfortably around the grip frame. Some of the user friendly features include a portion hollowed out where the back of the triggerguard and the top of the frontstrap meet making a comfortable resting place for the top of the middle finger. On both sides of the TesttargetsfiredwiththeSpringfieldArmory 9mmXD(M)showeditisquiteaccuratewitha widevarietyofloadsatthecombatdistanceof 10yards. this is also serrated and squared off. On the bottom of the frame in front of the triggerguard we find a triple position rail system for the attachment of a light or laser. Safety features in the grip frame include a grip safety which must be depressed before the XD will fire and a safety trigger which Springfield Armory says has the shortest travel of any currently available, as well as a shorter reset for faster follow-up shots. Trigger pull measures out at 8 pounds, although it seems lighter, and I had no problem shooting excellent groups with this 9mm. Sights Much of the credit for this must go to the excellent sights. These are low profile, easy-to-see square notch rear sight matched up with a post front sight and are of the white 3-dot style. The rear sight has no sharp edges and sets low in the slide. Both sights are mounted in a dovetail for ease of windage correction. In addition to the two safety features mentioned there TheSpringfieldArmoryXD(M)3.8isalittletallerthanitis long.Itisstillquiteconcealableandisveryaccurate. 30 WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • JUNE 2010